The earliest evidence of racing in the vicinity of Yarmouth was in 1715 on a course at South Dene on land leased to local innkeepers by the Corporation. The meeting coincided with the September Fair and the programme included 'pursuit of the pig' and, as expected at a seaside venue 'a donkey race'. By 1810 the meetings were much more formal, with a meeting in August, closely followed by a two day affair on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st September which included a Gold Cup race and a £50 Plate. In 1906 the lease on South Dene expired and the grandstand was destroyed by fire, so it was an ideal time to change course. Racing ceased throughout the War years 1914 to 1919, but racing resumed on the new course at North Dene on Thursday 16th September 1920 and the meeting has since grown in strength. Currently the course hosts 18 fixtures annually.
The Norfolk county town of Norwich first registered racing in the vicinity of the city when a match took place extending from Thursday 29th March to Saturday 31st March 1838. The match was between the Third Dragoon Guards from Norwich Barracks and their ‘Brother Officers’ from the Ipswich Barracks on a course between the villages of Tivetshall and Shimpling. On the Saturday the one mile Match saw Mr Rodon ride Ibis to victory over Mr Rich’s Zohrab. By 1840 Baily's Racing Register was recording results from the Norfolk and Norwich two day meeting on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th September when held on Mousehold Heath. The Norfolk and Norwich Plate was won by Mr Turner’s Fitzambo, while the East Norfolk Members Plate went to Mr Sandiland’s Oswald. Races continued intermittently for a further 36 years until a final meeting on Tuesday 4th April 1876.
Thursday 29th March 1838
Norwich v Ipswich Match
1. Sir Mark owned by Mr Dyson and ridden by Captain Dyson
2. Cramp owned by Mr Warner and ridden by Mr Warner
3. Barnaby owned by Mr Dyson and ridden by Mr Dyson
The rare handbill shown below is provided courtesy of the Robert Shaw collection.
The principal Listed race is the John Musker Fillies Stakes which is contested each September over 1 mile 2 furlongs and 21 yards. It was first run in 1993 when the John Hills trained Forthwith won in the hands of Michael Hills. Details of previous winners are shown below.
1993 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Forthwith (4/1), trained by John Hills and ridden by Michael Hills
1994 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by La Confederation (12/1), trained by David Loder and ridden by Kevin Darley
1995 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Poppy Carew (4/1), trained by Peter Harris and ridden by John Quinn
1996 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Flame Valley (5/1), trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Kieren Fallon
1997 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Entice (15/8 fav), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor and ridden by Darryll Holland
1998 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Saafeya (7/2), trained by John Gosden and ridden by Gary Hind
1999 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Geno’s Spirit (16/1), trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Phillip Robinson
2000 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Courting (14/1), trained by William Haggas and ridden by Seb Sanders
2001 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was not contested
2002 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Miss Corniche (9/1), trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Darryll Holland
2003 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Echoes In Eternity (11/1), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori
2004 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Polar Gem (5/2), trained by George Margarson and ridden by A McCarthy
2005 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Asawer (2/1 fav), trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Richard Hills
2006 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Dance Partner (14/1), trained by John Gosden and ridden by Phillip Robinson
2007 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Samira Gold (11/4), trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Seb Sanders
2008 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Cape Amber (5/1 jf), trained by Peter Chappel-Hyam and ridden by Alan Munro
2009 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Nashmiah (9/2), trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Neil Callan
2010 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Nouriya (11/4), trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore
2011 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Principal Role (4/1), trained by Sir Henry Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally
2012 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Semayyel (125/1), trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Freddie Tylicki
2013 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Miss You Too (20/1), trained by David Simcock and ridden by Chris Catlin
2014 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Hadaatha (100/30), trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Paul Hanagan
2015 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by Talmada (7/2), trained by Roger Varian and ridden by William Buick
2016 The John Musker Fillies Stakes was won by So Mi Dar (11/8 fav), trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori
